Acclaimed storyteller and actor Sudhanshu Rai has captured the hearts of audiences with a gripping first episode of his new storytelling series, ‘Dreamers’, where he narrated the riveting life journey of legendary actor Mukesh Khanna. The episode, which unfolded like a cinematic experience, revealed lesser-known facets of Khanna’s early struggles and eventual rise to fame.
In an emotional and candid narration, Sudhanshu delved into a turbulent phase in Khanna’s career, when a series of flop films had cast a shadow over his prospects in the film industry. Though his source of inspiration and guiding light remained his elder brother Jaggi Khanna.
One of the most striking revelations in the episode was a remark made by legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. When Jaggi, Mukesh Khanna’s elder brother, showed him two reels of Khooni, Chopra made a biting comment: “When one has the option of foreign liquor, why would he choose country liquor?” In this metaphor, the “foreign liquor” referred to well-established stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra and Vinod Khanna, while “country liquor” was a dismissive reference to Mukesh Khanna. Though he loved the work of Mukesh in the film. The metaphor didn’t sit well with Mukesh Khanna, and as a result, the two never crossed paths face to face again.
Despite such discouragement, Mukesh Khanna persevered, later immortalizing himself in Indian pop culture with iconic roles like Bhishma Pitamah in Mahabharat and Shaktimaan, India’s first superhero.
Sudhanshu Rai’s evocative narration did more than tell a story, it painted a picture of resilience, grit, and the undying pursuit of dreams, staying true to the ethos of ‘Dreamers’. The storytelling show promises to be a platform that not only entertains but also inspires by bringing forth real-life stories of grit, setbacks, and eventual triumphs. With Sudhanshu Rai’s signature storytelling style, the show is poised to become a heartfelt ode to those who dared to dream against all odds.
The first episode has already struck a chord with viewers, setting the tone for what promises to be an impactful series chronicling the unseen journeys of well-known personalities.
